COMPOSITION: 100% Estate grown Pinot Noir; 5 clones (Pommard, Dijon 114 & 115, swan and "R" clone)
TA: 6.01 g/L
pH: 3.71
ALCOHOL: 14.7%
AGING: 12 months French Oak barrels; 10% new oak.
PRODUCTION:  396 cases

WINEMAKER NOTES:

Aromas of ripe red cherry, plum, raspberries, and vanilla on the nose. The palate is soft and earthy, with flavors of black cherry, and ripe strawberry.  Medium-bodied, with a delicious, silky finish that lingers. We’ve grown Pinot Noir in South Napa for 40 years, and this wine beautifully reflects our farming philosophy and the micro-climate of our South Napa location.  Enjoy now, or lay down to age well for the next 5-7 years.

VINTAGE NOTES:

The 2018 growing season will be remembered as a near picture-perfect growing season. Budbreak came on March 15th, right on time. April brought “miracle rain,” a welcome sight because we received little to no rain in January, February and March. One storm in April brought nearly 4 inches of rain in a single day; this one storm completely filled the irrigation pond! The rain April showers gave the vineyard a nice injection of water as it woke up from dormancy. The rest of spring was mild, creating a nice, even fruit set. Summer came on gradually, and temperatures remained steady and warm throughout the growing season without any significant heat spikes. Fall was just as mild as spring and summer, with plenty of sun and moderate heat. Moderate fall temperatures allowed the fruit mature slowly, accumulating flavor complexity with gradual increases in sugar levels. Harvest began in mid-September, right on time.

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Harvest started on September 14, 2018 with the pick of the Pommard clone Pinot Noir, which ripened at a slightly faster pace than the rest of the vineyard. A week later on September 21^st and 22^nd we harvest the rest of the vineyard. Grapes were delivered to winery, destemmed, and pumped into stainless-steel tanks to begin a 14-day fermentation on skin and seeds. During fermentation temperatures and sugars are checked 3 times a day. We slowly raise the temperature from the initial 40 degrees to turn sugar into alcohol. Wine is fermented dry. Next, free run juice goes into tank and grape skins go directly to the press. Juice is pumped into French Oak barrels to begin aging. We select a limited number of barrels showing exceptional flavors and finesse to be part of our 2018 Reserve Pinot Noir program. A portion of the Reserve wine is racked into New French Oak barrels over the 12-month aging period. Wine is racked off of the lees three times over 12 months before being blended and bottled.

FOOD PAIRINGS:

Pairs well with cheeses like brie, gouda, gruyere, and chèvre. Serve with meats such as duck, lamb, and chicken. Vegetarians should try pairing this wine with eggplant parmesan, mushroom risotto, and a tomato-based vegetable stew. Very tasty with milk chocolate, and fruit or nut-based desserts, especially desserts that include blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, or cherries.

Retail Price: $56.00
Case Price (12 bottles): $672.00

Club Member Price: $47.60
Club Member Case Price (12 bottles): 571.20

Join the Elkhorn Peak Wine Club and enjoy savings on Elkhorn Peak purchases! Sign up here.